Obama touts Syrian opposition

Obama says al-Assad has lost all legitimacy to rule to Syria. | AP Photo

By ASSOCIATED PRESS | 5/13/14 8:39 PM EDT

President Barack Obama is telling Syrian opposition leaders that President Bashar al-Assad has lost all legitimacy to rule Syria and has no place in the future of the nation.

In a meeting Tuesday at the White House, Obama and national security adviser Susan Rice spoke with Syrian Opposition Coalition President Ahmad Jarba and a coalition delegation. Both sides offered renewed commitments for what the White House calls a political solution to the conflict that includes a transition to a new governing authority.

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The White House says in a statement that Obama has encouraged the coalition to further its vision for an inclusive government. In turn, Jarba thanked the United States for the $287 million in nonlethal assistance and its $1.7 billion commitment to humanitarian aid in Syria and neighboring countries.